The designated program administrator must demonstrate ONE of the following:

Have at least a baccalaureate degreeAND at least 9 credit-bearing hours of specialized college-level course work in administration, leadership, or management AND at least 24 credit-bearing hours of specialized college-level course work in early childhood education, child development, elementary education or early childhood special education that addresses child development and learning from birth through kindergarten

Documents indicating a plan in place to meet the above qualifications within five years

Documents meeting an appropriate combination of formal education, work experience, and relevant training and credentials as outlined in the alternative pathways table

Note: This Candidacy Requirement is the same as the qualifications outlined in Criterion 10.A.02, which is a required criterion.

Have a degree (associate’s or higher) outside of the early childhood field with three or more years of work experience in a non-accredited program and at least 30 contact hours of relevant training during that past three years

Note: This Candidacy Requirement sets a lower threshold of qualifications for teachers than Criterion 6.A.05, which is always assessed but is not a required criterion. Read more.

Note: This Candidacy Requirement sets a lower threshold of qualifications for assistant teachers-teacher aides than Criterion 6.A.06, which is always assessed but is not a required criterion. Read more.